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HomeMy Public PortalAbout07/16/1987 Special CCM'; the Council of teh City of Medina met in Special Session on Thursday, July 16, 1987 at 5:10 P.M. to discuss the fire at the Tupco Company, 4300 Willow Dr. Present: Mayor, Thomas Anderson; Councilmembers Wilfred Scherer, Robert Mitchell, Stephen Schmit; Clerk -Treasurer, Donna Roehl; Planning and Zoning Administrator, JoEllen Hurr; Police Chief, Richard Rabenort; Public Works Director, James Dillman; Fire Marshall, Loren Kohnen; Hamel FireChief, Julius Dorweiler Absent: Councilmember, Anne Theis ThomasAnderson explained that the fire at the Tupco Co., 4300 willow Dr., on July 2nd, had been discussed at the July 7th City Council meeting. He stated tht he was dis- satisfied with what was being done to put out the fire. Julius Dorweiler explained that they received the call at 9:16 p.M. on July 2nd. He sketched the area as it had been found when the fire department arrived on the scene; location of equipment, building and fire. He stated that they attempted to control the fire, prevent it from spreading and protect fire equipment. He reported that the Loretto Fire Department was the second group on the scene; that the total number of departments responding was twelve; later 3 Bulldozers and a back - hoe were called in toseparate the burning material from non -burning material. He stated that they left the fire scene at 9:00 A.M. the following morning, July 3rd. He also explained that there was not enough water at the scene so water was hauled from Lake Peter and the cities of Loretto and Plymouth, wiht the Hamel city water system being drained. He reported that it would be difficult to determine the cause of the fire, but that he could speculate that the cause was spontaneous combustion and not a spark from somewhere. Before they left at 9:00A.M on July 3rd they were told to bring equipment of the site to maintain the fire lane that had been built but owners had difficulty getting equip- ment due to the holiday and the fact that a permit was needed to travel on the highways. He stated that they returned to the scene on Friday evening and used owners equipment to widen the fire break,leaving instructions that fire should be watched, later to find that the fire had spread in the north, with the easterly two-thirds of the area presently on fire. Thomas Anderson asked if material had been added to the fire, as:.:. he had been told. Julius Dorweiler stated that there is some evidence that materials had been added because they could no longer walk loo feet into the area on fresh materials as had been possible earlier. Thomas Anderson asked if the fire could be extinguished and if not, how long it would burn. Julius Dorweiler stated that if nothing more was added to the fire it could burn for six weeks, as there is no way to know how much material is beneath the burning area. He explained two methods for extinguishing the fire; working the material back and forth and spreading water on it, as needed; or covering the burning material with dirt, which will take much longer. Don DesLuariers, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that he agreed that materials had been added to the burning chips. Mark Pieper, Tupco Co. owner, introduced Paul Bruning, who is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to secure a permit for the property. He then explained that he had a fire road less than 50 ft. in width and had been told that a 75 ft. break was needed. He explained that he intends to push material to the east to secure the 75 ft. break. He also stated that he was not pushing more material into the fire, but that there are chips two feet under the burning material that are not burning. He thanked those from the city who had inspected the fire area. JoEllen Hurr reported that she, the Chief of Police, the Fier Chief and Assistant Chief, had walked the area and had given advice to the owners. Julius Dorweiler stated that he did not agree with the owners method of trying to put out the fire and that efforts to maintain fire breaks are not sufficent as fire has crossed teh fire break. Mark Pieper stated that the fire break was not on virgin soil. Thomas Anderson stated that Tupco was responsible for putting out the fire and that people are tired of it and want it cleaned up. Robert Mitchell stated that the fire should be put out and the debris hauled off the site. MarkPieper stated that there is no place to haul the materail. He explained that he had purchased a new bull -dozer and that he propsoed to construct a berm along the east edge of teh property, cover with earth and suffocate the fire. He stated that they are work- ing with the Corps of Engineers on a permit. Julius Dorweiler stated that he preferred the area be wet down. Robert Mitchell stated that no one knows if there is 2 ft. of good dirt to cover the materials. Thomas Anderson asked how long he thought it would take to put out the fire by his method. Mark Pieper stated that it should be put out by Monday. thomas Anderson stated that he would have a motion for the Tuesday night City Council meeting, to revoke the permit, if it were not out by Monday. He asked for bills incurred in connection with fighting the fire. Julius Dorweiler presented the following bills: Equipment rent: Gleason and Theis, $720.; H.L. Johnson Co., $900.; Neumanns Enterprise, $800.; Sazama Excavating, $990.; Klaers Oil, fuel for trucks and equipment, $552.90. He estimated labor cost at $1500 plus an equal amount for the Loretto fire department. Thomas Anderson stated Tupco should be responsible for payment of all of the bills. Julius Dorweiler stated that there had been three or four fires on the premises, prior to the present owner, including an equipment fire which everyone belived was electrical. Mark Pieper stated that there were no batteries in the machine and that it would not start in winter. Robert Mitchell asked why he should believe the fire would be put out when it has not been put out thus far; also what kind of financial guarantee is there to draw from if the method proposed by the owner does not work. Julius Dorweiler stated that he did not agree with the propsoed method. Don DesLauriers, John Gleason, Dale Johnson firemen and equipment owners all agreed that Mark Pieper's method was not the best idea. Stephen Schmit stated that it was Tupco's fire to put out and that he was not ready to dictate how it should be handled; Tupco has equipment on the site and they should be given the chance to put out. Thomas Anderson stated that Council could declare it a public nuisance, put the fire out, and charge cost against the owner. Richard Schieffer asked what the value of the property would be to the city if the owner defaulted. He agreed that city should not dictate how the owners should try to extinguish the fire so as not to mix up responsibilities. Moved by Anderson, seconded by Scherer to declare the Tupco fire a public nuisance, give owners until 5:00 P.M. on July 21st to put out the fire; Fire Marshall, Loren Kohnen, to observe the fire and if it becomes worse to notify the Mayor so that appropriate action can be taken; that a reasonable amount of city water may be taken from city hydrant; consideration to revoking the Conditional Use Permit, will be taken at the July 21st Council meeting unless fire is out; city to pay equipment rent and fuel costs with owner to inform Council on July21 when bills will be paid. motion declared carried Moved by Scherer, seconded by Mitchell to adjourn. Motion declared carried Meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M. Clerk -Treasurer July 16, 1987